<nettime> Keith Henson free - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Karin Spaink <kspaink@xs4all.nl>]

Date: Friday, June 08, 2001, 22:31


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


===


Today in Toronto, California free speech activist Keith
Henson won a stunning victory in the first stage of his
application for refugee status in Canada.

Henson, an American, fled the US fearing fears that he would
be persecuted in prison after being convicted for his public
criticism of the church of scientology. He was convicted
under an obscure clause of California law that forbids
"interfering with a religion."

"I'm just glad to be out and in Canada," says Henson from
the home of his sponsor, Toronto Scientology critic Gregg
Hagglund.

Henson was detained for more than a week after Church of
Scientology officials in Toronto complained to Immigration
about his presence in Canada and depicted him as
"dangerous". Today, he was released and his application for
refugee status was accepted. Decision about that status
might take up to two years.

Henson was represented by the law firm of Mamman and 
Associates.

For the present, Henson will remain in Toronto. He says he's
not going to stop fighting what he sees as injustices
perpetrated by the cult.

"I was calling attention to scientology's callous disregard
for human life." says Henson. "I just wish I'd been able to
do it in my own country."

For more information, please contact Keith Henson or Gregg
Hagglund or counsel Guidy Mamann of Mamann & Associates 
or by visiting the Free Henson website at 
http://www.operatingthetan.com



Contact information:

Keith Henson c/o Gregg Hagglund
Email: elrond1@home.com
Url: http://www.operatingthetan.com or
http://freehenson.da.ru
Telephone: 905-844-6216
2237 Mund's Ave
Oakville, ON  L6H 3M9
Canada

Henson's counsel
Mr. Guidy Mamann 
of Mamann & Associates.
http://www.migrationlaw.com
Email: gman@migrationlaw.com
(416) 862-0000
74 Victoria Street, Suite 303 
Toronto, Canada M5C 2A5



==============End of original message text===========


- K -

-- 

He's not the worst actor I've ever seen but not everybody 
can be Jean Claude Van Damme. 
  - Andrew Dorman on Swans list, 1999-10-15

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